BUG Report: Illustrator 2025 CEPHtmlEngine Video Wake Lock Prevents Screen Saver

[saltwatercolours]

ISSUE: Illustrator 2025’s CEPHtmlEngine.exe issues a Video Wake Lock, preventing screen saver and display timeout.  (causing potential screen burn-in and unneccesary power use)

OS: Windows 10, version 19045.5487

GPU: Intel ARC A770, Driver 31.0.101.5382

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Open Illustrator 2025 or let it run in the background

2. Set screen saver to 5 minutes, display off to 10 minutes in Windows settings.

3. Wait—nothing triggers screen saver or screen power event, no events posted in Event Viewer

4. Kill all "CEPHtmlEngine.exe" processes in Task Manager

5. Wait

6. Result: Screen saver and power timeouts trigger properly at 5 and 10 minute marks

Issue located with the assistance of Grok AI instructions as follows...

To detect, open: CMD (elevated) and enter "powercfg /requests"

Output: DISPLAY: [PROCESS] ... CEPHtmlEngine.exe - Video Wake Lock

(screenshot attached)

[saltwatercolours · Accepted solution]

UPDATE:

Adobe seems to have read my mind.  With the newest update (Illustrator 29.3.1) installed today, the issue seems to be resolved.  It's only been a few hours, but I am optimistic because my PC is back to functioning normally as it concerns the screen saver and power setting for the monitor.  If you don't have at least this version and you have the issue, perhaps try updating.  Thanks, Adobe!

[eleighb]

I'm experiencing the same issue with my Mac. 

Since updating to macOS 15.4, my screensaver no longer activates, even though it’s set to start after 5 minutes of inactivity. After investigating, I discovered that Adobe's CEPHtmlEngine Helper process triggers a “Video Wake Lock” assertion, preventing the display from idling — even when no video is playing. This issue interferes with security, as my Mac won’t lock when I step away, despite having set it to require a password after the screensaver starts.

Is anyone else experiencing this, and does Adobe have a fix or workaround?

[i-b-tex]

I'm experiencing this problem on Windows 11 24H2, Adobe Illustrator 29.5.1 (64-bit). I've been noticing issues for several weeks with my Surface Pro refusing to go to sleep, and I discovered the same message as the OP when running the elevated command prompt.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @i-b-tex,

Would you mind trying to run Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and checking if it helps? Also, try the following steps and share your observations:

• Close all Adobe applications
• Remove Illustrator using the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool (https://adobe.ly/4jDRTVN)
• Reinstall Illustrator using the Creative Cloud Desktop application (https://adobe.ly/43GE7M2)
• Relaunch Illustrator

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[i-b-tex]

Hi @Anubhav M, thanks for your reply. I have been waiting for some extra time when I can try these troubleshooting steps, but strangely I've noticed over the last week or so that this problem has not been occurring as consistently on my computer. I had gotten in the habit of closing Illustrator before putting my computer in sleep mode, but the last few times I've left Illustrator open, the problem hasn't occurred.

I see there is a new update available now, so I will install that and continue to keep an eye on the issue. If it comes back, I will try these troubleshooting options you gave me and report back!